#Persevered
Scotland can be a beacon, within these islands and beyond, for a socially just and sustainable society. Whilst there are many priorities which will require independence, there is also much that can and must be done now by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.

As a neutral looking in, I do think they talk much nonsense with the whole independence issue.
It's a nice thought to want to be like Norway, but they should look to Ireland more for the realistic country Scotland could be.. Although I know many won't want to take on the Euro.

As a neutral looking in, I do think they talk much nonsense with the whole independence issue.
It's a nice thought to want to be like Norway, but they should look to Ireland more for the realistic country Scotland could be.. Although I know many won't want to take on the Euro.

The problem is policy retro-fitting.

Logically, a party shpuld start with a problem, identify what they see as a desirable outcome and then work out how that can be achieved, and in so doing identify their policies.

The SNP (and others) effectively start with their solution (independence) and then try amd work back to apply that solution to every problem, whether it works or doesnt.

Their laser-like focus on indy is in many ways a big strength for the nats, but in certain situations it leads them to have to take strange positions or jump about a bit.

All I've been mostly reading on this thread is pretty much political party bashing. There is no doubt that Scotland isn't in a great position at the moment but, is any other UK country. Yes, the SNP at the moment seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place as far as brexit is concerned but, look at the state of the NHS in England and even more so in Wales, at least ours is JUST got our heads above water. Then have a look at the mess the English and Welsh education system is in regarding grammer v comprehensive schools are concerned, its a mess and Justine Greening is already in the firing line over this. Our educating system isn't perfect either, there is no doubt about it but, there has been signs of improvement with the latest figures just released stating literacy improvements. No we have issues up here there is no doubt but, it isn't any worse than anywhere else in the UK.

Yes this is what I see too. The problems go to the back of the queue and only the benefits to the front. And many fall for it.. Everytime!

I dont like the phrase fall for it - it suggests being duped, which i genuinely dont think parties set out to do.

The SNP have been a highly strategic, focused and slick election machine in recent years, modelled very much on the new labour approach. Strict discipline, well funded, good people wih a unwavering focus on what they wanted to achieve - and most importantly - how it would be achieved.

I think under sturgeon, they have lost some of that sure footedness amd broad appeal, they have lost quite a few of the key advisers and strategists from salmond's time, and the indyref result and the WM success actually helped muddy the water about how they could achieve their goal.

Ad they worked this out, the time marches on and as with every party of government, they hollow-out their own reserves of talented people and vision amd their record is chipped-away at by the atttition of run of the mill problems of governing that you can no longer blame on your predecessors.

I think its clear the SNP are starting to suffer from these favtors now. The problem is with such extensive gains into non-traditional nat territory, they are more vulnerable to losses which can create a sense of decline or crisis.

They arent there yet, but they have already fallen backward at Holyrood, and are likely to do so again at Westminster, amd while the council elections went well, they did miss a few of their main objectives.

Apols, a very long winded way of saying that i dont think people were wrong to back the SNP - they were head amd shoulders better than anyone when they came into power full of ideas, and ambition and energy. But they cant sustain it, no party can.

The opposition parties ramble on about the SNPs apparent obsession with independence, because it suits their narrative to do so. They even made the local elections all about "stopping another referendum", while the SNP and the Scottish Greens actually focused on local policies.

I will be voting SNP next month, because I know what their policies are. I haven't a clue what Scottish Labours, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats policies are. Every leaflet I get through my door from them is about "stopping the SNP". Nothing else.

Of course the SNP will talk about independence, they are the "national" party of Scotland. But rather than talking up unity and the benefits of Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom, the unionist parties are all about stopping independence, they have nothing else to offer and it's boring.

As a neutral looking in, I do think they talk much nonsense with the whole independence issue.
It's a nice thought to want to be like Norway, but they should look to Ireland more for the realistic country Scotland could be.. Although I know many won't want to take on the Euro.

The opposition parties ramble on about the SNPs apparent obsession with independence, because it suits their narrative to do so. They even made the local elections all about "stopping another referendum", while the SNP and the Scottish Greens actually focused on local policies.

I will be voting SNP next month, because I know what their policies are. I haven't a clue what Scottish Labours, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats policies are. Every leaflet I get through my door from them is about "stopping the SNP". Nothing else.

Of course the SNP will talk about independence, they are the "national" party of Scotland. But rather than talking up unity and the benefits of Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom, the unionist parties are all about stopping independence, they have nothing else to offer and it's boring.

What are the SNPs policies for this election? When was their manifesto published?

Probably not - im not sure anyone has had time for major changes - amd it certainly worked well last time!

2 years is hardly enough time to effect change in a country, particuarly as a minority administration. However, this is a General Election, not a Scottish Election, it's about Scotlands influence at Westminster, which has always been next to zero.

2 years is hardly enough time to effect change in a country, particuarly as a minority administration. However, this is a General Election, not a Scottish Election, it's about Scotlands influence at Westminster, which has always been next to zero.

I dont follow? I was saying that the SNP manifesto from 2015 worked very well, so it wont need much changing.